Growing Teratoma Syndrome and Its Management at a Tertiary Cancer Hospital

Abstract

Background: Growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) is a rare condition found in patients with nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors who have enlarging masses. This can be in the context of normalized serum markers and occur during or post appropriate systemic chemotherapy. The presence of a mature teratoma and the absence of malignant germ cells on a histopathology report confirms the diagnosis of GTS. Case: A 25-year-old female was diagnosed with growing teratoma syndrome at The Gujarat Cancer Research & Institute (GCRI), in Ahmedabad, India. The patient was operated on for an immature teratoma and received adjuvant chemotherapy elsewhere. She was evaluated and diagnosed with GTS at the GCRI and underwent cytoreductive surgery in 2 sessions to remove the now-mature teratoma.. Results: She is currently disease-free and on regular-follow up for 2 years. Conclusions: No malignant germ cells were found in the final surgical pathology evaluation, and a mature teratoma was present, which confirmed the diagnosis. Awareness, early diagnosis, and finally, prompt and complete surgical resection of the tumor is critical for a good treatment outcome.